Smart Home Highlight:
ThirdReality Smart Blinds
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About a year ago I moved into a new apartment. One of the things I have never been able to do independently is open and close blinds. I have automated many things in my home through Amazon Alexa and begun researching how I could operate my blinds. As a backup to Alexa, I also wanted something remote controlled in case the Internet was down.
I went with the Cordless Battery-powered Blackout Honeycomb Blinds (amazon.com) from a company called ThirdReality. They use the ZigBee 3.0 standard and are compatible with a remote and any ZigBee hub, including many of the newer Amazon Alexa devices like the one I have at home. Google Home is not compatible. The price varies on the size of the blind you choose, and currently starts at $150 on Amazon.
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Image Description: A window with white cordless blinds that are about 30% open. A blue arrow is pointing up the blinds to indicate that the blinds are opening. To the left are three devices: Amazon Echo first gen, Amazon Echo dot 4th gen, and the ThirdReality remote control. On the right side, there is a plant in the background. In the foreground is someone controlling the curtains with their smartphone.
Photo Credit: amazon.com listing.
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My favorite function is that I can open the blind halfway, or even 70% of the way, simply by saying a percentage. For example, I can say “Alexa, open bedroom blind 30%.” I can also use the infrared remote anytime with my hands to adjust the height of the blinds. And because I set the blinds up through Alexa, I can control the blinds from the Alexa app on my phone. This means I could also use Alexa routines to have my blinds open and close on a schedule without any interaction at all. I went from not being able to control my blinds to having 4 ways!
If you can set up regular blinds, you can install these. They come in a wide variety of sizes starting at 20 inches wide and going all the way to 39 inches wide. The blinds are all 72 inches long but have a sensor that will stop them automatically when they hit your windowsill. They are powered by AA batteries, which they say you can expect to last around six months. Personally, mine have lasted longer. If I have had a problem with functionality, their team has been very responsive and helpful even if their website itself is a bit lackluster.
This company also makes motorized smart switches (amazon.com) that go over traditional toggle switches for lights, and I have found them to be just as reliable. Overall initial setup can be a little bit tricky for both the smart switches and the smart blinds but once I tackled that I’ve had very few problems since.
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The contents of this newsletter were submitted by Ben Wimett; A.T Consultant serving Rutland, Windsor, Windham, Bennington, and Addison Counties.
Contact the Vermont Assistive Technology Program by calling 1-800-750-6355 or by emailing dail.atinfo@vermont.gov. For more information visit our website (www.atp.vermont.gov). And if there is a topic that you'd like to see covered, please feel free to let us know!
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